|
 |  |
 | | | © Musée de la civilisation, Séminaire de Québec |
As early as 1894 the first celebrations of the Quebec Winter Carnival were already taking place. Quebec´s joyous mid-winter festival helped calm the day-to-day worries caused by an economic crisis affecting the whole continent. It was a celebration organized around seasonal sporting events such as the skating competition, the dogsled race and the canoe race across the majestic Saint Lawrence river. Walking at nightfall along the snowy streets of the joyous city, decked out in all its finery, one could hear strains of music and laughter, and spy, through frosty panes, the whirl of dancers and the bright colours of their costumes.
 |
| | | © Musée de la civilisation, Séminaire de Québec |
Back in those times, the Quebec Winter Carnival took place every two years, then at irregular intervals through the period of the First World War and the 1929 financial crash. It was not until 1955 that the winter celebration took on an official status and was organized for the beginning of February each year.
|
